Union Bank Reaffirms Commitment to Education as Maltina Teacher of the Year Competition Enters 12th Edition
LAGOS, Nigeria — Union Bank of Nigeria has reiterated its commitment to supporting teachers and advancing quality education across the country as the 12th edition of the Maltina Teacher of the Year (MTOTY) Competition was officially launched in Lagos.
The bank, participating for the third consecutive year as a partner of the initiative, joined organisers Nigerian Breweries Plc and Felix Ohiwerei Education Trust Fund, alongside education stakeholders, at a panel session focused on strengthening educational support systems to improve learning outcomes for teachers and students.
Representing Union Bank at the event, Olufunmilola Aluko emphasized that education remains a strategic priority for the financial institution.
According to her, investment in education is essential for national development and long-term economic growth.
“At Union Bank, we believe education is not a social obligation. It is a strategic investment. A nation that does not invest in its teachers and its learners is borrowing from its own future, and we are in the business of building futures, not mortgaging them,” she said.
Aluko highlighted Edu360, the bank’s flagship education intervention under its UnionCares platform, as a key driver of its commitment to the sector. She explained that the initiative supports the entire education ecosystem by expanding access to education for underserved communities, strengthening teacher capacity, promoting digital literacy and STEM education, and preparing young people for employment and entrepreneurship opportunities.
She also challenged financial institutions to move beyond traditional corporate philanthropy and embrace a broader role in educational development.
“Financial institutions need to stop thinking of ourselves as donors and start thinking of ourselves as ecosystem builders,” she said. “We can embed financial literacy into school curricula, design products that help parents save for their children’s education, and convene policymakers, educators and the private sector around shared goals. Above all, we can show up consistently, not only when it suits our brand calendars.”
Aluko stressed that sustainable improvements in education require strong collaboration between the public and private sectors. She commended the Maltina Teacher of the Year Competition for its consistency in recognising and rewarding educators, noting that the initiative’s ₦100 million grand prize sends a strong message about the value of teachers in national development.
She observed that since its inception, the competition has recognised more than 300 teachers across Nigeria, describing it as a model of sustained commitment that aligns with Union Bank’s educational objectives through Edu360.
Addressing teachers nationwide, she said:
“To every teacher in this country, what you do is not small. Your story deserves to be told, and Nigeria needs to know your name.”
Union Bank said its participation in the competition aligns with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 4, which promotes inclusive and equitable quality education, and reflects the bank’s broader commitment to social impact and sustainable development.
Established in 1917, � is one of Nigeria’s leading financial institutions, with more than 300 branches nationwide and a growing portfolio of digital banking solutions aimed at supporting individuals, businesses and public sector organisations.
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